October 1 – 31: Throughout the month of October,Buzz will offer a selection of seasonal cupcakes, including Pumpkin Cupcakes with candied pepitas, Caramel Apple Cupcakes and Guinness Cupcakes, all priced at $2.75 each. Beginning October 15th, Pastry Chef Josh Short will roll out an array of Halloween-themed treats, such as designer Ghouls and Goblin Cupcakes, priced at $4.25, DIY Halloween cookie kits outfitted with cookies, frosting and sprinkles for $7.95 each, and house-made Marshmallow ghosts for $1.95 a bag.

Buzz cookies

In addition, Buzz will once again host its annual “Boo-Fest” celebration, the Halloween extravaganza for kids of all ages on Thursday, October 29th from 3-6 p.m. Costumed kids can decorate spooky sugar cookies, play games and win prizes, while parents enjoy a complimentary cup of steamed apple cider. I plan to take both of my kids to this event. If you are there, please say, “Hello!”

October 1 – 31: Visit the Schakolad Chocolate Factory in October and see their large selection of chocolate Halloween items, like their 3D Chocolate Haunted House. Also be the first to view their new Thanksgiving & Holiday chocolate gifts. Print out a copy of this promotino and bring it to the store to recieve 10% off any Halloween, Thanksgiving, or holiday season chocolate items. Offer ends October 31.

Volt's nantucket bay scallops

October 29: VOLT This year, the month of October celebrates the birth of Edgar Allan Poe 200 years ago. In partnership with Maryland’s Big Read campaign, VOLT is celebrating the life of this famed author with two special menus inspired by Poe. On Thursday, October 29th, award-winning Chef Bryan Voltaggio will prepare two select menus titled Poe’s Birth and Poe’s Death. Poe’s Birth menu focuses on Poe’s tumultuous childhood in Boston and includes New England-inspired cuisine, while Poe’s Death menu captures the strange and tragic end of the author’s life and feature signature Baltimore dishes. In addition to Voltaggio’s innovative creations, the two menus will be complemented by distinct wine pairings, as well as craft cocktails featuring absinthe, a favorite of Poe’s, a notorious drinker. A portion of dinner proceeds will benefit Frederick Reads, a collaborative effort among Frederick County Public Libraries and local organizations to foster a love of reading in the community. Poe’s Birth and Death menus are offered in conjunction with Joshua Kane’s performance of Tales of Terror: An Evening of Horror and Hilarity at the Weinberg Center for the Arts. Nationally acclaimed performer Kane presents his chilling one-man tribute to Edgar Allan Poe giving center stage to the authors’ writings of revenge, madness and despair. VOLT is located at 228 North Market Street, Frederick, MD (301-696-8658; www.voltrestaurant.com).

Pastry Chef Anthony Chavez’s “Eye Scream” at 2941

October 1-31: The “Eye Scream” Returns at 2941: Pastry Chef Anthony Chavez is once again brewing up his whimsical Halloween dessert the entire month of October. Available during dinner only, this bone-chilling confection features Valrhona white chocolate, pistachio mousse and raspberry-lychee coulis, presented on a bed of dry ice to resemble a pair of smoking eyeballs. This frighteningly festive dish is priced at $15 (or as a $10.00 supplement on any Prix Fix menu). Designed by pastry chef Anthony Chavez. Valrhona white chocolate, pistachio mousse and raspberry-lychee coulis create the frighteningly delicious dish, priced at $15 and presented on a bed of dry ice to resemble a pair of smoking eyeballs. Eye Scream is available seven days a week from October 1-31 during dinner service. Guests of the fine dining restaurant are welcome to enjoy this special dessert a la carte, or in conjunction with one of the restaurant’s two prix-fixe options: the four-course menu priced at $58 and the three-course bar tasting menu priced at $30. There will be a supplemental charge of $10 for the “Eye Scream” dessert with either prix-fixe menu.

October 31: Belga Cafe – DC’s first Beligian restaurant, the Belga Cafe will be serving up magic and mischief at the bar as they celebrate Halloween. Join Chef and Owner Bart Vandaele as he creates spooky desserts and provides candy for the trick-or-treaters that pass by. Imbibe at the bar with frightful spirit concoctions such as The Vampire Kiss Martini, with vodka, champagne and chambord; The Blood Sucker Cocktail, a delicious combination of rum, pineapple juice and strawberry puree; and of course, a Witches Brew Golden Ale from Belgium. Belga Cafe is located at 514 8th Street, SE; Washington, DC (202-544-0100; www.belgacafe.com).

October 31: Trummer’s On Main celebrates a town full of Halloween spirit on October 31st. Come early with your children in costume as Trummer’s On Main and all local shops and restaurants participate in Trick-or-Treating along Main Street in Clifton. Trummer’s is handing out hot chocolate and cookies, freshly made by Pastry Chef Chris Ford, on the front porch of this historic home. Later in the evening, come in full-costume as Trummer’s hosts a costume party in the bar and lounge area. Awards such as ‘Best in Show’ and ‘Most Scary’ will be handed out. Goolish libations by Mixologist Stefan Trummer include a Hot Toddy and Pumpkin Daiquiri. Trummer’s On Main will be serving regular dinner service, featuring Halloween surprises throughout the menu by Executive Chef Clayton Miller. Trummer’s On Main is located at 7134 Main Street, Clifton, VA (703-266-1623; www.trummersonmain.com).

October 31: Halloween Party at EatBar & Special Screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show, Costume Contest + Creepy Cocktails: Come dressed in your Halloween best for a costume contest and special screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show on October 31st at 8pm. We’ll be handing out prizes to the best-dressed and for one night only, we’ll break out a collection of creepy cocktails, including the Poisoned Apple made with Svedka and apple puckers, lined with a pop rocks rim, and garnished with gummi worms, and The Zombie Punch with Mount Gay rum, triple sec, Malibu and raspberry syrup. Chef Barry Koslow will lend a hand with some Halloween-themed dishes such as Deviled Eggs, Blood Sausage and Tongue Tacos. Scary indeed. For a more “cerebral” Halloween, slip next door to Tallula, where Chef Koslow is dishing out special holiday plates of Calf brains meuniere and Pumpkin soup with toasted pumpkin seeds, curry oil and crème fraiche. Koslow will serve the special Halloween dishes in addition to Tallula’s regular a la carte menu.

October 31: Channel the inner Hulk Hogan at Rustico’s no-holds-barred OctoberSlam, where guests are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite wrestler. In addition to a costume contest, the Alexandria neighborhood restaurant is also hosting a Sierra Nevada glassware giveaway, featuring one-of-a-kind ale personally brewed by Beer Director Greg Engert during his recent trip to the Sierra Nevada brewery in California. The OctoberSlam and glassware giveaway will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, October 31st.

October 31: Dive into the rabbit hole at Vermilion’s Alice in Wonderland-themed Halloween party, which will take place in the restaurant’s lounge on October 31st at 10 p.m. Vermilion will serve spooky “spirits” and hand out fabulous prizes to the best-dressed guests. For added entertainment, the Alexandria-based rock quartet, Don’t Panic, will perform live.